Joseph John Fox


Joseph John Fox was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church who served as bishop of the Diocese of Green Bay in Wisconsin from 1904 until his death in 1914.

Biography

Early life

Joseph Fox was born in Green Bay, Wisconsin, to Paul and Frances Fox, who were German immigrants. He received his early education at the parochial school of the Cathedral of St. Francis Xavier in his native city. He made his classical studies at St. Francis Seminary in Milwaukee from 1870 to 1875. He then studied philosophy and theology at the American College of Louvain in Leuven, Belgium.

Priesthood

Fox was ordained to the priesthood in Mechelen, Belgium, by Bishop Charles André Anthonis for the Diocese of Green Bay on June 7, 1879.
Fox's first assignment, following his return to Wisconsin, was as pastor of St. Kilian Parish in New Franken, where he remained for eight months. He afterwards served at St. John the Baptist Parish in Green Bay for three years, in addition to serving as secretary to Bishop Francis Krautbauer. In 1883, Fox became pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Marinette, Wisconsin, serving there for eleven years. He served as vicar general of the diocese from 1894 to 1904, and was named a domestic prelate by Pope Leo XIII in 1898.

Bishop of Green Bay

On May 27, 1904, Fox was appointed the fifth bishop of Green Bay by Pope Pius X. He received his episcopal consecration at Saint Francis Xavier Cathedral in Green Bay on June 25, 1904, from Archbishop Sebastian Messmer, with Bishops William Stang and Frederick Eis serving as co-consecrators. He was the first and only native son of the diocese to become its bishop. During his tenure, Fox built a new episcopal residence, which later became the diocesan chancery, and displayed a strong interest in education and advancing the parochial school system. Fox was a contributor to the Catholic Encyclopedia.

Retirement and death

On November 7, 1914, Pope Benedict XV accepted Fox's resignation as bishop of Green Bay and appointed him as Titular Bishop of Ionopolis. Joseph Fox died in Chicago on March 14, 1915, at age 59.